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Drilling for oil and natural gas can be a dangerous profession. These workers face some of the most on the job injuries out of any job in the United States. Not only do these jobs require the use of heavy machinery, one of the largest contributing factors to injury, they also require workers to be far from their families on sometimes dangerous drilling platforms and to work with hazardous, flammable chemicals.
If you or a loved one was seriously injured working on an offshore rig while drilling for oil or natural gas in the Houston area, contact The Queenan Law Firm today. Our Houston oil and natural gas injury attorneys represent injured victims and fight to get compensation for them and their families. Call (817) 476-1797 today to schedule a free consultation on your case.
Filing a Lawsuit for Oil Rig Injuries in Houston, TX
Many injured workers in Texas must file their claims through workers’ compensation. This often limits the damages they can receive and makes it impossible to collect damages for pain and suffering. However, many offshore oil and natural gas workers do not have to follow these rules. This gives them and their families the power to file a lawsuit for their injuries.
When you are injured as an offshore worker, your case may come under various federal statutes and maritime law. This gives you the power to sue your employer or the ship or rig owner for negligent acts that caused your injuries. When proving your employer was negligent, you need to prove that they breached some duty they owed you. Many offshore oil rig injuries are based on the following types of claims:
- Improper safety equipment,
- Improper training,
- Negligent supervision,
- Improper equipment maintenance,
- Unsafe premises,
- OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) safety violations,
- Catastrophic equipment failure, and more.
Problems or complications stemming from any of these issues can easily place you at risk. Many workplace injuries on oil rigs can cause any of the following serious bodily injuries, among others:
- Chemical exposure can cause burns and irritation;
- Leaking oil or gas creates a risk of fire or explosion;
- Wet stairs, catwalks, and decks create a risk of slip and fall injuries;
- Heavy lifting and carrying creates a risk of back and joint injury;
- Heavy machinery operation creates a risk of crushing injuries and amputation; and
- Pressurized blowouts create a risk of injuries from impact and shrapnel.
After an oil rig injury, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit to recover damages. If your spouse, parent, or child was killed in an accident on an oil rig or natural gas rig, you may be able to file a lawsuit for their death.
Damages for Oil and Natural Gas Drilling Injuries in Texas
After an accident, you may suffer serious injuries that need intense medical care. Many injuries on offshore drilling platforms are difficult to treat immediately, and they may worsen during the time you are transported back to shore. During your recovery, you may face serious pain and suffering, which could keep you from returning to work – or may prevent you from ever returning to work if your injuries are permanent. These harms often justify the following damages:
Medical Expenses
The cost of medivac might be very high just to get you to a hospital where your injuries can be treated. Beyond that, the cost of emergency medical treatment, surgeries, checkups, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and more can seriously add up. While your medical insurance might be able to cover some of these damages, your employer should cover the cost of any medical treatment you needed because they failed to keep your job safe. These expenses are often claimed as part of these injury cases.
Lost Wages
If you are too injured to go to work, you could be unable to receive paychecks for a prolonged period. Especially if your family relies upon you for income, this could be a serious problem. You may be able to claim any wages you lost from work during your recovery. Once your injuries heal, you may not be back to 100%. If your injuries are permanent and keep you from returning to work or force you to take a less physically demanding job, you may be able to seek coverage for the reduced earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering
The injuries from burns, amputations, and head injuries can be exceedingly painful. This can lead to intense mental suffering, especially if you are no longer able to enjoy activities as much as you used to. These harms can be directly compensated as pain and suffering damages.
Our Houston Oil and Gas Drilling Injury Attorneys Offer Free Consultations
If you or a member of your family was injured, or if a loved one was killed in an accident on an oil rig or natural gas drilling platform, call The Queenan Law Firm today. Our attorneys represent injured victims and fight to get them the compensation they need to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. For a free consultation on your case, call our law offices today at (817) 476-1797.